AudioNervosa

Electro Stimulation Ward => Signals and Noise => Topic started by: rollo on November 04, 2019, 11:52:27 AM

Title: TRIODE WIRE LABS SPLIT DATA AND POWER USB CABLE
Post by: rollo on November 04, 2019, 11:52:27 AM
  Who said USB cables make no difference HA, HA,HA,HA,HA,HA. This cable literally changed my digital world. We have proper tonality, harmonics, speed, clarity, detail, timbre and a hit in heart type of sound. Impressed to say the least this cable is a MUST have period. Save your pennies. Pete and Dave thank you for your work. :thumb:


charles
Title: Re: TRIODE WIRE LABS SPLIT DATA AND POWER USB CABLE
Post by: tmazz on November 05, 2019, 06:36:05 PM
I have to agree with Charles on this one.

I got mine about three months ago and it made a HUGE difference in the SQ I got playing DSD files via my laptop.  (https://groups.tapatalk-cdn.com/smilies/1733/1534579950.4316-smiley.gif)
Title: TRIODE WIRE LABS SPLIT DATA AND POWER USB CABLE
Post by: Guy 13 on November 05, 2019, 08:42:05 PM
Hi all.
I am not a 100% believer in cable can make a (HUGE) difference.
However, I never tried Triode Wire labs products,
so I won't comment.
In addition : 329 USD to 399 USD is not within my budget
and to me, paying that much money for cables doesn't make sense even of the SQ is HUGE.
But thats me and I don't say that that usb cable doesn't make a difference.
I will add that to hear a HUGE difference, you must have a good overall system,
which is not my case.

Guy 13


 
Title: Re: TRIODE WIRE LABS SPLIT DATA AND POWER USB CABLE
Post by: dBe on November 06, 2019, 12:05:59 AM
Hi all.
I am not a 100% believer in cable can make a (HUGE) difference.
However, I never tried Triode Wire labs products,
so I won't comment.
In addition : 329 USD to 399 USD is not within my budget
and to me, paying that much money for cables doesn't make sense even of the SQ is HUGE.
But thats me and I don't say that that usb cable doesn't make a difference.
I will add that to hear a HUGE difference, you must have a good overall system,
which is not my case.

Guy 13
Belief without experience is at best just a guess.  Years ago I was a “wire is wire” guy (not Guy, but guy) until I heard real and obvious positive differences.  That made me question most of my set in stone audio mantras.  It was then and only then that I began thinking outside of the whatever and began self education into the elusive reality of superior sound quality.

It was that first, big as a shoe box, teflon film and foil capacitor given to me by a long gone nuclear physicist that worked at Los Alamos Scientific Labs.  The cap was one that did not meet spec for whatever mumbo jumbo project that he was working on and headed to salvage.  Used as a tweeter crossover cap it revealed more information than I had ever heard.  This was at a time when even polypropylene was considered exotic.  I have often wondered just how many taxpayer dollars I had in my hands back then!

Changed my world.

Yes, there are some components that can reveal much more information than others in a musical way.  To me...that is what a “huge difference” is all about.

Just sayin’...
Title: Re: TRIODE WIRE LABS SPLIT DATA AND POWER USB CABLE
Post by: Guy 13 on November 06, 2019, 01:22:25 AM
Hi all.
I am not a 100% believer in cable can make a (HUGE) difference.
However, I never tried Triode Wire labs products,
so I won't comment.
In addition : 329 USD to 399 USD is not within my budget
and to me, paying that much money for cables doesn't make sense even of the SQ is HUGE.
But thats me and I don't say that that usb cable doesn't make a difference.
I will add that to hear a HUGE difference, you must have a good overall system,
which is not my case.

Guy 13
Belief without experience is at best just a guess.  Years ago I was a “wire is wire” guy (not Guy, but guy) until I heard real and obvious positive differences.  That made me question most of my set in stone audio mantras.  It was then and only then that I began thinking outside of the whatever and began self education into the elusive reality of superior sound quality.

It was that first, big as a shoe box, teflon film and foil capacitor given to me by a long gone nuclear physicist that worked at Los Alamos Scientific Labs.  The cap was one that did not meet spec for whatever mumbo jumbo project that he was working on and headed to salvage.  Used as a tweeter crossover cap it revealed more information than I had ever heard.  This was at a time when even polypropylene was considered exotic.  I have often wondered just how many taxpayer dollars I had in my hands back then!

Changed my world.

Yes, there are some components that can reveal much more information than others in a musical way.  To me...that is what a “huge difference” is all about.

Just sayin’...

Thanks dBe for sharing your audio experience with me and maybe others....
Yes, some components can make a (Small, medium, big or huge) difference,
but at what price.
That's where experience from others and your budget and SQ goals have to be judge.

Guy 13
 
Title: Re: TRIODE WIRE LABS SPLIT DATA AND POWER USB CABLE
Post by: HAL on November 06, 2019, 05:34:24 AM
Dave,
For DAC's that need to see 5VDC, did you do a 5VDC supply other than the battery version?   

I have your USB cable for the BatteryBUSS, but not using batteries anymore. 

The other option is to feed the BatteryBUSS with an external AC/DC power supply.
Title: Re: TRIODE WIRE LABS SPLIT DATA AND POWER USB CABLE
Post by: dBe on November 06, 2019, 10:57:46 AM
Dave,
For DAC's that need to see 5VDC, did you do a 5VDC supply other than the battery version?   

I have your USB cable for the BatteryBUSS, but not using batteries anymore. 

The other option is to feed the BatteryBUSS with an external AC/DC power supply.
build a 5V PS, but at the price it is hard to beat this puppy:

https://ifi-audio.com/products/ipower/

They do really good work on some things.  Wall warts is one.
Title: Re: TRIODE WIRE LABS SPLIT DATA AND POWER USB CABLE
Post by: tmazz on November 06, 2019, 11:08:53 AM
Let me recap and expand on what I meant by a huge difference.

Up until recently I did all of my file listening via a Bluesound Node, which topped out at 192/24. The Node fed an original EE DAC which could not sync with the Node at  any higher than 96/24. So that's what I played. I had acquired a few DSD files but had no way of playing them so the just sat on the server.

Then I upgraded to a Project DAC that could play DSD files, so one night I sat down with a laptop and searched the web for some software that would allow me to feed the DSD files to the DAC. It took a bit of work, but I was able to get something set up and play the DSDs. At the time the only USB cable I had available was a generic one that came packed with some kind of computer peripheral. But since the objective was at that point to just see of I could get the files to play I did not have an issue with using the cheap cable. It took a bit of doing but I found and configured a player and was good to go. Unfortunately the results were not too good from a sonic standpoint. The files were rather flat sounding and were not even as good as PCM files played through the DAC via the Bluesound. But I reasoned that this was because neither the play nor any of the settings on the computer were tweaked to optimize audio playback. But I figured then potential was there and I would have to work on optimizing the setup. At this point I contacted Pete and got one of his split head USB cables. I was planning to use this as part of a full makeover of the laptop playback system. Things got busy and I did not have time to fiddle with the laptop, but I figured why not insert the TWL USB cable and let it burn in so that at least it would be ready for prime time when I got around to the laptop tweaking. Upon inserting the TWL cable and firing up a DSD file I was totally blow away. The sound went from very flat consumer mass fi in nature to what I would expect to hear from a high end system in terms of resolution and soundstaging. And changing the cable was the only thing I did. It change the whole nature of the listening experience, transforming it from a situation where the music was there but not engaging enough to serve as much other than background music, to one where I was drawn in to the music and wanted to sit down and listen attentively. That is why I categorized it as a huge change.
Title: Re: TRIODE WIRE LABS SPLIT DATA AND POWER USB CABLE
Post by: HAL on November 06, 2019, 11:09:52 AM
Dave,
I have the iFi 5VDC wall wart that I tried with a RPi3.   Will see if I can adapt the connectors to the MiniXLR style cable.  I have the Mini sockets you sent.

So many projects!  :shock:



Title: Re: TRIODE WIRE LABS SPLIT DATA AND POWER USB CABLE
Post by: tmazz on November 06, 2019, 11:12:03 AM
Dave,
For DAC's that need to see 5VDC, did you do a 5VDC supply other than the battery version?   

I have your USB cable for the BatteryBUSS, but not using batteries anymore. 

The other option is to feed the BatteryBUSS with an external AC/DC power supply.
build a 5V PS, but at the price it is hard to beat this puppy:

https://ifi-audio.com/products/ipower/

They do really good work on some things.  Wall warts is one.

A big +1 on that recommendation Dave. I replaced the stock wall wart that came with my Pro Ject DAC with one of those ifi 5V supplies and it was well worth the $49 I paid for it.
Title: Re: TRIODE WIRE LABS SPLIT DATA AND POWER USB CABLE
Post by: HAL on November 06, 2019, 11:46:18 AM
It has all been here for quite awhile. 

Now need to make the adapter cable to go from the iFi 5VDC power supply to the USB cable.
Title: Re: TRIODE WIRE LABS SPLIT DATA AND POWER USB CABLE
Post by: dBe on November 06, 2019, 11:58:35 AM
It has all been here for quite awhile. 

Now need to make the adapter cable to go from the iFi 5VDC power supply to the USB cable.
The DC power plug on the USB cable that you have there is a 5.5mm x 2.5mm. iF you need a matching power jack I can send you a Switchcraft that will work for you.

Title: Re: TRIODE WIRE LABS SPLIT DATA AND POWER USB CABLE
Post by: HAL on November 06, 2019, 12:35:07 PM
Here is my KIS alternative to start.

Use one of the iFi coax adapter cables and cut off the unused connector and wire it directly to the Mini-XLR for testing.

Just need to know the Mini-XLR pins for the wiring.
Title: Re: TRIODE WIRE LABS SPLIT DATA AND POWER USB CABLE
Post by: HAL on November 06, 2019, 01:07:26 PM
ITT makes an inline Mini-XLR 4 pin connector that I can solder the iFi adapter coaxial connector cable into.  Should be here this week to try.

Pin 2 - GND, Pin 1 - +5VDC for connections.

Note: From cable pinout from BatteryBUSS 5VDC cable with Fluke 87III ohm meter setting.

Title: Re: TRIODE WIRE LABS SPLIT DATA AND POWER USB CABLE
Post by: HAL on November 06, 2019, 08:00:36 PM
Prototype adapter for iFi +5VDC coaxial to USB cable Mini-XLR connector.

Checked and +5VDC on center pin, sleeve is GND.

Now to seal the wiring up and give it a try.
Title: Re: TRIODE WIRE LABS SPLIT DATA AND POWER USB CABLE
Post by: dBe on November 06, 2019, 11:13:44 PM
Prototype adapter for iFi +5VDC coaxial to USB cable Mini-XLR connector.

Checked and +5VDC on center pin, sleeve is GND.

Now to seal the wiring up and give it a try.
:thumb:
Title: Re: TRIODE WIRE LABS SPLIT DATA AND POWER USB CABLE
Post by: rollo on November 07, 2019, 07:35:21 AM
  Confused. Are you using the iFi to power the power leg of the USB cable instead of the server port ?


charles
Title: Re: TRIODE WIRE LABS SPLIT DATA AND POWER USB CABLE
Post by: HAL on November 07, 2019, 07:46:01 AM
My dspMusik digital crossover/8 channel DAC needs to see 5VDC on the USB port to talk.  Trying to clean up the noise from the PC side by eliminating the USB 5V from the PC.

The cable was originally built by Dave to work with his BatteryBUSS.  Adapting it to the iFi 5V PS for use.
Title: Re: TRIODE WIRE LABS SPLIT DATA AND POWER USB CABLE
Post by: rollo on November 07, 2019, 07:59:09 AM
 OK. Would a separate battery [5V] or a iFi [5V] wall wart make a difference over using another port for power connection of USB ?


charles
Title: Re: TRIODE WIRE LABS SPLIT DATA AND POWER USB CABLE
Post by: dBe on November 07, 2019, 10:41:33 AM
OK. Would a separate battery [5V] or a iFi [5V] wall wart make a difference over using another port for power connection of USB ?


charles
The short answer is yes.  Avoiding the common noise present between USB ports on the attached device is a good thing. However, and this is a BIG HOWEVER, the 3 pole filter that is in the power leg of the Split Power pretty well renders that question moot.  Also, the ground configuration in the Split power isolates the grounds between the transport, computer or streamer and the DAC or renderer.

So, this is a qualified "Nope".
Title: Re: TRIODE WIRE LABS SPLIT DATA AND POWER USB CABLE
Post by: rollo on November 07, 2019, 12:07:54 PM
  A good "Nope" that is. You guys did the engineering and I got the benefit. Well done.


charles
Title: Re: TRIODE WIRE LABS SPLIT DATA AND POWER USB CABLE
Post by: tmazz on November 08, 2019, 12:37:37 PM
Dave, If I am using the split cable to connect a DAC that has its own power supply and does not draw power via the USB port would I be better off just connecting the data side and leaving the power side of the split unconnected. It would seem logical that not having a power connection to the PC at all would be better than trying to clean up the messy power that the PC sends over. Is there a benefit or a need to keeping the power connected even if you are not using is (like does the DAC need to see a ground reference from the PC that it looks for on the power pins of the USB connection?)
Title: Re: TRIODE WIRE LABS SPLIT DATA AND POWER USB CABLE
Post by: dBe on November 08, 2019, 02:25:55 PM
Dave, If I am using the split cable to connect a DAC that has its own power supply and does not draw power via the USB port would I be better off just connecting the data side and leaving the power side of the split unconnected. It would seem logical that not having a power connection to the PC at all would be better than trying to clean up the messy power that the PC sends over. Is there a benefit or a need to keeping the power connected even if you are not using is (like does the DAC need to see a ground reference from the PC that it looks for on the power pins of the USB connection?)
Most DACs are going to need the ground reference provided in the Power side of the cable.  There is not one in the Data link because of the possibility of RF floating around on it.

Bottom line is to try it.  Can't hurt anything other than possibly not seeing the source.
Title: Re: TRIODE WIRE LABS SPLIT DATA AND POWER USB CABLE
Post by: rollo on December 18, 2019, 08:27:39 AM
   Well now that this cable is fully broken in. BUY ONE. So smooth yet accurate. Very well done in all areas of sonic bliss. Worth every penny spent.


charles
Title: Re: TRIODE WIRE LABS SPLIT DATA AND POWER USB CABLE
Post by: HAL on December 18, 2019, 08:54:07 AM
Got my moded PI split USB cable on Monday from Dave.   Setup with my iFi iPower adapter for 5VDC. 

Now to compare the two versions I have from Dave.  One is a very early version. 
Title: Re: TRIODE WIRE LABS SPLIT DATA AND POWER USB CABLE
Post by: rollo on December 18, 2019, 12:31:44 PM
Got my moded PI split USB cable on Monday from Dave.   Setup with my iFi iPower adapter for 5VDC. 

Now to compare the two versions I have from Dave.  One is a very early version.

  Guess I got Dave thinking. It only makes sense. Anxious to hear your findings. Merry Christmas.

charles
Title: Re: TRIODE WIRE LABS SPLIT DATA AND POWER USB CABLE
Post by: dBe on December 18, 2019, 02:06:59 PM
Got my moded PI split USB cable on Monday from Dave.   Setup with my iFi iPower adapter for 5VDC. 

Now to compare the two versions I have from Dave.  One is a very early version.

  Guess I got Dave thinking. It only makes sense. Anxious to hear your findings. Merry Christmas.

charles
The one Rich has is the earliest version.  It does not have the power filter that is what makes the TWL/PI Split Power cable so special.  Also, even though the data conductors are the same wire, the materials processing aspect of the wire is very different.  This is what POOGE brings to the table. Build, test, learn, refine.